Set in the 1970s, in the era of the Vietnam War and its volatile aftermath, Land of Smiles tells the story of a young Southeast Asian man's journey from a refugee camp in Thailand to a housing project in Oakland, California.
The novel opens with a Laotian boy, Boontakone, who swims across the Mekong River, leaving his old life behind, and losing his mother and sister in the process. In a refugee camp in Thailand, Boontakone struggles to decipher the secret codes of his new life. Huo offers a glimpse into a world as highly ordered and dependent on proper observance of social customs and manners as any created by Jane Austen. Eventually Boontakone and his father make their way to America, where the young man will have to sort out impressions as dazzling and puzzling as the American high school, Superman, and Saturday Night Fever.
Balancing a moving account of dislocation and loss with gentle comedy, Land of Smiles is a new classic in the literature of the immigrant experience.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Born in Laos of Chinese descent, T. C. Huo immigrated to the United States in 1979. He received a master's degree in creative writing from the University of California at Irvine. Among the writers Huo has studied with are Thomas Keneally, Ethan Canin, and Robert Pinsky. He has received the award for adult fiction from the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association. He is the author of Land of Smiles and A Thousand Wings, and lives in Santa Clara, California.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
£ 4.42 shipping from U.S.A. to United Kingdom
Destination, rates & speedsSeller: BooksRun, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: Good. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported. Seller Inventory # 0452281857-11-1
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: GreatBookPricesUK, Woodford Green, United Kingdom
Condition: As New. Unread book in perfect condition. Seller Inventory # 445971
Quantity: Over 20 available
Seller: GreatBookPricesUK, Woodford Green, United Kingdom
Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 445971-n
Quantity: Over 20 available
Seller: CitiRetail, Stevenage, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. "A remarkable story, a courageous performance, and we're privileged to get it."--Los Angeles Times Set in the 1970s, in the era of the Vietnam War and its volatile aftermath, Land of Smiles tells the story of a young Southeast Asian man's journey from a refugee camp in Thailand to a housing project in Oakland, California.The novel opens with a Laotian boy, Boontakone, who swims across the Mekong River, leaving his old life behind, and losing his mother and sister in the process. In a refugee camp in Thailand, Boontakone struggles to decipher the secret codes of his new life. Huo offers a glimpse into a world as highly ordered and dependent on proper observance of social customs and manners as any created by Jane Austen. Eventually Boontakone and his father make their way to America, where the young man will have to sort out impressions as dazzling and puzzling as the American high school, Superman, and Saturday Night Fever. Balancing a moving account of dislocation and loss with gentle comedy, Land of Smiles is a new classic in the literature of the immigrant experience. Set in the 1970s, in the era of the Vietnam War and its volatile aftermath, "Land of Smiles" chronicles a young Southeast Asian man's journey from a refugee camp in Thailand to a housing project in Oakland, California. Balancing a moving account of dislocation and loss with gentle comedy, the novel is a new classic in the literature of the immigrant experience. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780452281851
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: PBShop.store UK, Fairford, GLOS, United Kingdom
PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Delivered from our UK warehouse in 4 to 14 business days. THIS BOOK IS PRINTED ON DEMAND. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # IQ-9780452281851
Quantity: 15 available
Seller: BargainBookStores, Grand Rapids, MI, U.S.A.
Paperback or Softback. Condition: New. Land of Smiles 0.3. Book. Seller Inventory # BBS-9780452281851
Quantity: 5 available
Seller: California Books, Miami, FL, U.S.A.
Condition: New. Seller Inventory # I-9780452281851
Quantity: Over 20 available
Seller: Revaluation Books, Exeter, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: Brand New. 224 pages. 8.00x5.25x0.25 inches. In Stock. Seller Inventory # x-0452281857
Quantity: 2 available
Seller: GreatBookPrices, Columbia, MD, U.S.A.
Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 445971-n
Quantity: Over 20 available
Seller: Majestic Books, Hounslow, United Kingdom
Condition: New. Print on Demand pp. vi + 215. Seller Inventory # 5856677
Quantity: 4 available